With the number of negative, high-profile cases gaining attention in recent years, it is imperative that practitioners be well-versed and clear as to their ethical responsibilities to the public that they serve. This program opens with the discussion of what is meant by ethics and the factors that influence ethical behavior, and also discusses the creative accounting behind some of the more infamous company accounting scandals of recent years. The author then reviews the various rules and requirements that CPAs need to be in compliance, including those of the Accountancy Law under the Ohio Revised Code, the AICPA Principles and Rules of Conduct, Statements on Standards for Tax Services, and the Public Company accounting Oversight Board rules.

Use of Materials

Audio or DVD
The user should begin by watching the DVD segment or listening to the audio CD for the chapter before reading the text. The user may wish to make notes of the most important concepts and any terms that are new. Next, the user should review the learning objectives at the beginning of the chapter and read the chapter. The user should work through each of the examples. It may be helpful to highlight important material and/or to make additional notes. Next, the user should complete the study questions at the end of the chapter and review the answers. If the user answers a study question incorrectly, s/he should review the section of the text that is indicated at the end of the explanation to the study question to assure comprehension of the material. The user should review the learning objectives once more to consider achievement of the objectives. After the user has finished watching the DVD or listening to the CDs and reading the text, s/he may wish to review her/his notes and any sections of the text or DVD that were difficult. When the user is ready, s/he should complete the quizzer. Reviewing notes periodically will increase retention of the material.

Online
The user should follow the procedures discussed above. After the user has studied each chapter, s/he should click on the link at the left to complete the interactive study questions. When the user has finished reading the text, s/he may wish to review her/his notes and any sections that were difficult. When the user is ready, s/he should click on the link to the left to complete the quizzer. The user's CPE certificate will be provided immediately upon successful completion of the quizzer.

Software
The user should follow the procedures discussed above. As the user studies each chapter, s/he should complete the interactive study questions that appear in the lower panel of the screen. When the user has finished reading the text and working through the study questions, s/he may wish to review her/his notes and any sections that were difficult. When the user is ready, s/he should click on the link at the far left to complete the quizzer. The user should email her/his quizzer statistics using the quizzer submission link in the software and the user's CPE certificate will be mailed to her/him.

Chapter 1 provides an overview of ethical behavior and its importance in the accounting profession.

Chapter 2 examines the professional ethics statutes that CPAs and CPA firms must adhere to under the Ohio Revised Code.

Chapter 3 discusses the technical and behavioral standards for Ohio CPAs and CPA firms.

Chapter 4 explains independence as it relates to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.

Chapter 5 explains integrity and objectivity as it relates to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.

Chapter 6 examines the various Statements on Standards for Tax Services.

Chapter 7 discusses the PCAOB ethics and independence rules.

The Appendix provides a listing of recommended readings and sources for additional information.

• Explain how business failures were caused by breakdowns in corporate governance and what might be done to improve financial oversight

• Discuss the role and responsibilities of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

• Explain how the Principles of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct provide the foundation for the Code's enforceable provisions (Rules)

• Identify the requirements for the registration of public accounting firms under the Ohio Revised Code

• Explain the limitations on the practice of public accounting in Ohio and the use of the CPA title

• Discuss when a CPA may be disciplined for failing to adhere to the statutes and rules of conduct

• Identify the technical and behavioral standards rules to be adhered to by Ohio permit holders and Ohio registered firms

• Explain the expected standards of practice in the performance of professional services for clients

• Discuss the ethical obligations of permit holders and registered firms to clients including confidentiality and records retention

• Identify when threats to independence may impair independence in the performance of professional services

• Explain when independence may be impaired when performing nonattest services or because of employment or other relationships with an attest client

• Describe the ethical obligations a CPA needs in order to be objective in performing professional services

• Explain the ethical obligations of a CPA to maintain integrity in dealing with supervisors and clients

• Discuss the ethical obligations of a CPA to a client when using a third-party service provider to assist in providing professional services

• Describe how tax standards under Statements on Standards for Tax Services provide guidance to CPAs when engaged in tax planning services

• Explain a CPA's ethical obligations when using a taxpayer's estimates and in the correction of errors in tax returns

• Identify when the provision of tax services impairs auditor independence under PCAOB rules

• Explain when the provision of services related to marketing, planning, or opining on tax transactions violates independence standards and when audit committee pre-approval is required before providing professional services to an audit client